Episode 7
After finishing his “husband duties” and turning around, Seong-hyuk spotted Ji-sang leaning casually against the doorway. As Seong-hyuk walked toward the door, he jerked his chin toward the hallway.
Understanding the gesture immediately, Ji-sang was the first to step out of the office, followed by Seong-hyuk and Yeong-in in order.
When Ji-sang stopped and turned to face Seong-hyuk, his expression was clearly sour.
“I came to watch just how whipped Cha Seong-hyuk really is.”
“Did you enjoy the show?”
Seong-hyuk didn’t look even the slightest bit embarrassed.
When it came to anything he did for Chae Yeong-in, there was no shame. If he had any reason to feel ashamed, he wouldn’t have done it in the first place.
The one actually feeling embarrassed was Yeong-in, standing beside him with her cheeks tinged pink.
“I almost died from secondhand embarrassment, watching all that.”
“And yet, you came all the way here on your own two feet to see it. So what’s your point?”
“Just sharing my thoughts.”
It was No Director who had informed Ji-sang that Seong-hyuk would be visiting the company.
Even after Seong-hyuk, who had scouted him, left, Ji-sang decided to stay at SL Entertainment for the time being.
When he jokingly asked Seong-hyuk once if he was supposed to be buried with him, it hadn’t been entirely in jest. He expected that whoever succeeded Seong-hyuk wouldn’t be thrilled about his presence.
But No Director’s attitude had been surprising—he’d pleaded sincerely for Ji-sang not to even think about leaving.
For now, he planned to stay until some major change came along. He also had too many ongoing projects to walk away from.
“Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Now stop slacking off and get back to work. You should at least earn your paycheck.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll get lost so you two can enjoy your sweet little moment, Former President.”
Ji-sang shot back cheekily and sauntered away.
“I should get back too. I’ll see you at home.”
As Yeong-in started heading back to the office, Seong-hyuk grabbed her arm in mild panic.
“Hey, don’t be so cold. You should at least walk me to the parking lot.”
Yeong-in blinked her clear eyes at him.
“You need to earn your paycheck. Can’t be wasting company time on personal errands, can we?”
“Ji-sang’s salary is way higher than yours. So technically, you can slack off a little.”
Fairness was never Seong-hyuk’s strong suit. When it came to the woman he loved, he was unapologetically biased.
“I came here as a guest of the president. You wouldn’t dare treat a guest poorly, would you?”
Yeong-in let out a dry laugh through her lips.
“Weren’t you here as my husband to support me?”
“The moment I walked out of the 5th team’s office, that ended. Right now, I’m a guest of the president.”
“Honestly, you and that mouth of yours…”
Grinning slyly, Seong-hyuk raised his index finger and drew a little circle in the air—a silent command to turn around and head toward the elevator.
He desperately wanted to slip an arm around her shoulders or waist, but held back in case someone might see.
“Fine, I’ll walk you to the parking lot.”
Yeong-in gave in and turned around, and the two walked side by side down the hallway to the elevator.
As soon as the doors closed, Seong-hyuk let out a low sigh.
“I didn’t think I’d miss SL Entertainment this much…”
His sincerity made Yeong-in’s expression turn thoughtful too.
“Sounds like you grew pretty attached.”
“I’m not the sentimental type, really.”
“Then what are you missing?”
“I miss seeing you.”
“Anyone overhearing would think you moved overseas or something. Don’t you see me every morning and night at home?”
“But not at lunchtime. I used to love calling you up to my office whenever I felt like it.”
Yeong-in shot him a sharp sideways glance, clicking her tongue.
“That’s called abusing your power, you know.”
“Yeah, and it felt great having the power to abuse.”
Seong-hyuk moved closer, brushing his lips softly against her temple.
Lowering his head, he looked into her eyes.
“I really want to kiss you right now. Thoughts?”
“I think you’re insane.”
“Exactly. I’m crazy about you.”
“……”
Yeong-in stared at him with an icy glare that practically dared him to try.
“Alright, I’ll respect your opinion.”
Seong-hyuk wasn’t one to overstep his boundaries. He also had a keen sense of when it wasn’t the time or place to push his luck.
Which didn’t stop him from lightly tapping her luscious lips with his fingertips, wearing a look of regret.
Yeong-in didn’t realize he was mentally promising himself to make up for it later that night.
***
Saturday afternoon.
Yeong-in received a call from Jae-gyeong.
“Yes, Auntie.”
–What are you up to?
“Seong-hyuk’s at work, so I’m just lazing around alone.”
In truth, she was in the middle of tidying up the dressing room.
–Sounds like Cha Seobang’s been really busy lately.
“Yes, he’s been working overtime every day and even goes in on weekends.”
–I’ve got a rare free afternoon today. Want to meet up?
“I’d love to. Where should I go?”
–Let’s meet at the department store.
After hanging up, Yeong-in changed clothes and headed out.
The two arrived at the department store just a minute apart and met in the parking lot.
“I talked to Seong-hyuk, and he said he’ll come over after wrapping up work. He wants to treat you to a nice dinner, so let’s eat together after shopping.”
“I really hate getting freebies, you know. Guess I’ll have to buy you some clothes in exchange for the meal.”
Yeong-in giggled and looped her arm through Jae-gyeong’s.
“Auntie, that was such an awkward excuse.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
Having planned all along to buy her niece clothes, Jae-gyeong gave a sheepish laugh at her failed attempt at subtlety.
“I’ll be smoother next time. Come on, let’s go up.”
Their ambitious shopping trip quickly wore them out.
Yeong-in was still indifferent to shopping, and Jae-gyeong, though eager to buy her niece some pretty outfits, wasn’t a big fan of it either. For them, shopping felt more exhausting than work.
“How about we grab some iced coffee and take a break?”
“Sounds perfect. My feet hurt and I’m parched.”
Thinking alike, they headed to the VIP lounge and took seats by the window.
Yeong-in glanced around with curious eyes.
“Wait, is this free to use?”
“Probably? I usually just dash in, grab what I need, and leave. This is my first time here too. What do you want to drink?”
The two leaned in over the menu.
“Oh wow, they have sikhye? I’ll have that, Auntie.”
“Same here.”
With similar tastes, they both ordered the traditional sweet rice drink.
As they sipped the icy sikhye, a text alert pinged on Yeong-in’s phone.
“Seong-hyuk says he just got to the parking lot.”
“Let’s hit the restroom and head out.”
But in the restroom, they ran into someone they hadn’t hoped to see.
A-rim.
Standing in front of the mirror fixing her makeup, A-rim turned as soon as she noticed Yeong-in, her eyes darting to the shopping bags in Yeong-in’s hand.
“Well, aren’t you living the good life?”
“Looks like you have the time to shop too, huh?”
Yeong-in responded coolly.
“It’s not like I’m under arrest, you know? I’ve been cooperating with the investigation just fine. Why, is there a problem with me spending my own money?”
Realizing that a woman washing her hands was staring oddly at her, A-rim cut herself off mid-rant.
“There’s no problem. Enjoy your shopping.”
But unlike Yeong-in, who wanted no further exchange, A-rim still had plenty to say.
“Hey, since we’re here, let me ask you something.”
Or rather, her desire to pick a fight was almost overflowing.
“What?”
“I always knew you were ungrateful, but still—how could you not invite our parents to your wedding? They’re the ones who raised you.”
Even as A-rim leaned in threateningly, Yeong-in’s expression didn’t change.
“I knew you were shameless, but I didn’t know you were *this* shameless.”
Her calm yet biting words made a vein in A-rim’s temple throb.
“You little—”
But her raised hand never landed.
A sharp pain shot through her scalp as someone yanked her hair.
“Ahhh!”
It was Jae-gyeong, who had been quietly listening, who stepped in and grabbed A-rim’s hair first.
“I’d heard you had a nasty temper, but I didn’t know you hadn’t outgrown these filthy habits. You really are a piece of work, raising your hand like that.”
A-rim had her own words turned back on her by yet another person.
“Who the hell are you? Let me go!”
She hadn’t realized that the woman trailing Yeong-in was her aunt. She also had no idea this was the same woman who’d exposed her family’s dirty laundry in the media.
“Oh, you don’t know me? I’m Yeong-in’s aunt.”
The fire in A-rim’s eyes instantly fizzled out.
“O-okay… let’s talk this out, please.”
Her sudden submission came out of fear of the consequences.
“You types only act like this when it’s convenient for you, huh?”
Jae-gyeong released her grip with a look of disgust and delivered a final warning.
“I hope you never run into Yeong-in again, even by accident. But if you do and you pull something like this again, I’ll make sure you can’t show your face in Korea ever again.”
“……”
A-rim snatched up her bag and shopping tote and fled the restroom, not daring to even mutter a threat of pressing charges—she knew it wouldn’t stick.
Later, when Seong-hyuk heard about what had happened in the restroom, his reaction to hearing Jae-gyeong had pulled A-rim’s hair was pure delight.
“Thank you, Auntie, for doing what I couldn’t.”
“Right? That’s not something you could ever do.”
Jae-gyeong winked playfully.
And so, finally, it was a day where an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth had been served.
(Continued…)
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